Student Perceptions of the Charter School Experience at Metropolitan Detention Center

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Pauls, Christopher

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2011-08-30T19:16:58Z

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2011-08-30T19:16:58Z

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2011-08-30

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July 2011

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http://hdl.handle.net/1928/13105

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Student perceptions of a charter school experience at Metro Detention
Center in Bernalillo County, New Mexico were examined via in-depth interviews of two groups of students. One group consisted of 12 new students who had not attended classes yet. This group was re-interviewed at 3 weeks to determine any changes to their perceptions. The second group consisted of 10 graduates of the school. This group had met the state requirements for graduation and had attained a diploma. None of the graduates had been released from incarceration at the time of the interviews.
All interviews were transcribed, summarized and analyzed for content themes by the principal investigator and cross validated by the faculty advisor. Results indicate that students of the charter school value rigorous curriculum that is focused on literacy, writing and mathematical skills and that includes a cognitive therapy element. Additionally, students value meaningful nonjudgmental relationships with teachers and staff.